Star charged over Broadbeach employee’s workers compensation claim

The embattled Star has been dealt another blow after being charged for breaching worker compensation laws at the Broadbeach venue.

The Star has been accused of using a worker’s compensation document in disciplinary proceedings. Photo: Tertius Pickard

The embattled Star Entertainment Group has been dealt another blow after being charged for allegedly breaching worker compensation laws at its Broadbeach venue.

The casino operator has been issued a complaint for accessing particular documents for employment purposes between February 18 and 28 this year.

The document was then allegedly used in disciplinary proceedings against an employee receiving compensation for a workplace injury.

Representatives for the Star appeared in court last week where the matter was adjourned to December 12.

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The three-page complaint details how employee Kym Wells was placed on workers compensation due to an injury which saw him unable to work.

The Star, who self-insures, appointed lawyers Sparke Helmore to look after the claim.

The court documents allege that on February 9 Mr Wells wrote to Sparke Helmore about his workers compensation claim.

The contents of Mr Wells’ email was not contained on the court file.

On February 19, the Star wrote to Mr Wells, requesting a meeting about his alleged “unprofessional and disrespectful behaviour” in the email sent on February 9, the complaint alleges.

It is alleged the email said that if Mr Wells’ conduct was substantiated he could face disciplinary action for breaching Star police.

The court documents state that a meeting was held on February 28, in which Mr Wells was issued with a formal warning.

The warning allegedly included corrective action Mr Wells’ needed to take or else he may risk his employment.

The complaint alleges that this disciplinary action came about because of the email Mr Wells sent the lawyer in relation to his workers compensation claim.

“The meeting with the worker on February 28, 2022 was undertaken for the purpose relating to a process for determining whether the worker’s employment was to continue,” the complaint filed in court said.

“(Star’s) use of (the email sent on February 9) was not for the purpose of securing the worker’s rehabilitation or early return to work.”

Under Queensland law, documents in relation to a worker’s compensation can only be used in relation to the employee’s injury and helping their return to work.

The matter will return to court on December 12.

A Star Entertainment Group employee told the Bulletin: “The Star does not comment on its team members.”

Earlier this month the Star was issued with a show cause notice after the Queensland state government found it unsuitable to hold a casino licence.

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